Edge Davao 6 Issue 233 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

VOL. 6 ISSUE 233 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

www.edgedavao.net

EDGEDAVAO RODY FACTOR Davao City has Serving a seamless society

‘good chance’of hosting APEC 2015

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. abf@edgedavao.net

AVAO City has another swing factor its the bid to host the Asia Pacific Economic Council (APEC) meeting next year. Call it the “Mayor Rodrigo Duterte factor.” This was the positive assessment of city Tourism Officer Lisette Marques in a chance interview yesterday after the regular department heads meeting at the City Hall. Marques said that the APEC inspection team is looking favorably at Davao City’s hosting capability because of Mayor Duterte’s strong political will on top of the city’s security preparedness. She told reporters that the city did not just bid for the hosting, but cabinet secretaries endorsed it believing in the city’s security team.

“We are just really showcasing our best practices, especially our security aspect which exceeded their expectations,” said Marques. Aside from security, Marques revealed that the inspection team was also impressed by the strong political will of Mayor Duterte which they consider as an additional factor. The inspection by organizers of the venues, such as the SMX Convention Center in SM Lanang Premiere, where the convention could be held, proved more than enough for the requirements set. Although the APEC National Organizing Committee was non-committal about the city’s chances, Marques said one team member vouched to choose the city. “With that, at least we

already have an in the national level,” she said. Marques assured that the city is ‘more than prepared’ for the hosting with the addition of more convention centers in city, aside from the fact that “we have already handled similar events before. We hosted APEC 1996. They went as far as ‘Pearl Farm ’that time.” Marques said the city also has 6,000 hotel rooms and 160 accommodations, more than enough to suffice the needs of the delegates. “Marami na tayong mga new players; last year we had three more big ones belonging to international chains of accommodations with suites sufficient for that level,” Marques added. She said that these rooms could accommodate heads of state of participating countries.

TOP SPEED. A rider’s motorcycle wheelies when it hits top speed during the elimination round of Raider Breed Wars, Suzuki Philippines’ national drag racing competition, at the new Tagum City Hall grounds last Sunday. Lean Daval Jr.

SPEED LIMIT

Number of violators increasing: TMG By EMILORD P. CASTROMAYOR

epc@edgedavao.net

HE Davao City Police Office Traffic management Group has been apprehending an increasing number of violators of the speed limit

ordinance, usually privately-owned vehicles, now with a total number of 821 offenders in just over two months of implementation.

P/Senior Inspector Paulino A. Zaulda Jr., deputy officer of the Traffic Management Group (TMG) of the Davao City Police Of-

FSPEED, 10

EDGEDAVAO

THE BIG NEWS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 233 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014

LET THE GAMES BEGIN. Davao del Norte Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario and Department of Education (DepEd) 11 Director Gloria Benigno lead the hoisting of the national flag during the opening ceremony of the Davao Regional Athletic Association (DAVRAA) meet held at the Davao del Norte Cultural and Sports in Tagum City last Sunday. Lean Daval Jr.

Barangay polls very expensive, DTI Davao cautions public vs cyber attack divisive; better abolish it: Bello R

EP. Silvestre “Bebot” Bello of 1BAP (Barangay Atong Palambuon) party-list will file a bill proposing the abolition of barangay elections, saying that this political exercise has become “very expensive and very divisive.” Bello told media men covering the medical and dental his party-list conducted in Barangay 76-A in collaboration with Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte and Vice Mayor Paulo Z. Duterte, that

his staff is now finalizing the bill which he is formally submitting to the House of Representatives before end of March. Under Bello’s bill, the barangay captains should be appointed by the incumbent mayor of the city or town provided that the appointee is qualified, Bello said. The lawmaker that Dabawenyos can expect one medical outreach a month in Davao City, apart from

WEATHER FORECAST

the nationwide conduct of medical-dental missions the party-list is scheduled to perform nationwide. Bello brought 10 boxes of assorted medicines to Barangay 76-A, also known as Bucana, and organized the medical and dental staff that conducted the activity. He bared that the Paquibato District Hospital will soon receive medical equipment, while the Davao City Health Office will also get a dialysis machine to be do-

nated by the City of Makati thru Vice President Jejomar Binay. Bello who is the father of Councilor Karlo S. Bello of the Third District, said that the projects were 1BAP Party-list’s way of paying a debt of gratitude to Dabawenyos, whose votes primarily made the party-list win in the 2013 national election. The second biggest number of votes IBAP got were in Isabela,

FBARANGAY, 10

HE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in the Davao region cautions the public against becoming a victim of cyber attack. A New York-based company named EZYield wrote DTI’s Bureau of Trade Regulation and Consumer Protection (BTRCP) to inform them “of a data event that compromised the security of personal information of two Philippine residents.” EZYield is a third party hotel reservation service provider.

The company learned last October 24, 2013 of the possibility that information that was transmitted through its hotel reservation system was the subject of a cyber-attack. Upon learning of the incident, the company immediately started an investigation. The day following the discovery of the cyber-attack, the means by which the attacker gained unauthorized access was shutdown. “Although investiga-

FDTI, 10

STRATEGIC MEETING. Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) director of investment promotions and public affairs Romeo Montenegro says during yesterday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at the Annex of SM City Davao that technical officials and private sector representatives from within BIMP- EAGA will convene today at the Marco Polo Davao for a two-day strategic meeting which is part of the preparation for the 2015 Asean integration. Lean Daval Jr.

NEWS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 233 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014

DSWD filed 21 cases of child abuse in 2013 By CHENEEN R. CAPON

crc@edgedavao.net

NLY 21 cases of child abuse were filed before the courts in the entire Davao region 2013. Of the 21 complainants, the youngest is eight years old while three were victims of incest. DSWD 11 assistant regional director Mila T. Segovia, guesting in yesterday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Annex, reported that the agency served a total of 21 cases on sexual and physical abuse as well as trafficking incident in the region last year. Segovia said that of the 21 cases served, 16 cases were sexual abuse among children 8 to 15 years old. Of the 16 cases, three were

incest. The youngest victim is now on the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 11 and under rehabilitation at the agency’s center for girls. She said that most of these cases were recorded from rural areas and from Davao City because the city has a unit that handles Violence against women and their children (VAWC) cases like the Integrated Gender Development Division (IGDD) and the Women and Women’s Desk under Davao City Police Office (DCPO). Segovia said that the three cases served were

MORNING RAZE. A bystander looks at the motorcycles which were burned during yesterday morning’s fire in Magallanes Street, Davao City. The fire left one person killed and damaged millions worth of properties. Lean Daval Jr.

WANTED: ‘ARAW’ORGANIZER

Another group sought 9 hurt as vehicle falls into canal to replace Duaw Dabaw FDSWD, 10

By EMILORD P. CASTROMAYOR

epc@edgedavao.net

N event organizing team composed of a minor and eight others sustained injuries after their vehicle went out of control and fell into a canal, Sitio Luak, Bayabas, Toril at about 12:10 a.m yesterday while on their way home from a wedding event. P/Chief Inspector Angel Sumagaysay, station commander of the Toril police, said the victims Jan Michael, Funzalan Go, driver of the multicab, Adelen Go, 30, Dennis Rosil, 15, Romel Paras, 37, Eliezar Genita, 24, Eduard Peidad, 25, Charliemagne Buco Balingit, 27, Manny Jay Villamor, 29 and Marlon Maatibon, 29. All victims were brought to the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) by a responding 911 emergency team. Sumagaysay said the

driver was heading for Toril proper but on the hilly portion of the road the vehicle fell into the canal and hit to banana trees which broke the impact. He said the victims only suffered minor injuries and not interested in filing charges against the driver for they belong to the same team. Meanwhile, last Saturday, a road construction man was bumped by a vehicle along the street in front of the Ateneo High School along MacArthur Highway. Police identified the victim as Ryan Quiňones, 23, of Tugbok, while the driver of the vehicle known is one Jaren Lio Magsakay, 23, of Ramarind Avenue Ridge Park. The victim suffered minor injuries in the body. He taken to the SPMC.

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

abf@edgedavao.net

HE Davao City government is looking for private organizers to handle the ‘Araw ng Dabaw’ events next month. City Tourism Officer Lisette Marques told reporters yesterday that the executive committee of the celebration is ‘eyeing’ for private individuals to handle it. “I believe hindi na ang Duaw (Dabaw Foundation) ngayon in order to give chance to others,” Marques said. Marques revealed that Jhopee A. Agustin, co-chair of the committee, will decide which private individual would take over from Duaw Dabaw Foundation. Marques used to be the executive director of Duaw Dabaw Foundation before she jined the city

ADOPTION WEEK. David Earnshaw (center) tightly holds the hand of adopted son, John Robert (right), while talking to Sheryl Anne R. Dumalogdog, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) adoption focal person, who announces the upcoming DSWD’s Adoption Consciousness Week and Child Abuse Prevention Week during Kapehan sa Dabaw at the Annex of SM City Davao yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

government. Meanwhile, she said that activities for next month’s celebration will be finalized within this week. “We will announce the tentative number

of events by this week,” Marques said, without disclosing the activities and budget for the ‘Araw’. In last year’s celebration, Duaw Dabaw, formerly headed by Marques,

took care of the event on a budget of P5.2 million and organized a less number of competitions, leaving only Sayaw Pinoy, Kanta Dabaw, Laban Labandz, Sayaw sa Daan and the Mutya sa Dabaw.

4 SUBURBIA EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 233 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014

DAVAO ORIENTAL

Surgical, medical mission touches lives of the poor I

n a throng of patients queuing in a pre-screening procedure for the annual surgical mission at the Davao Oriental Provincial Hospital, fourteen-yearold Christian Tan waits in line to take his turn. Christian, who for many years endured his double cleft-lip condition, said he was equally excited and nervous to undergo the free operation, which he says would help to turn his life around. The boy’s family didn’t have enough money to get him treated, so together with his father Conrado, the pair rode a military truck from their village in Governor Generoso with a group of patients bound to the capital City of Mati for the promise of free surgery. Christian’s is only one of the many stories of hope disclosed by patients who came from across the province seeking help for their illnesses and got the promised treatment they had sought. Touted to be the province’s biggest surgical mission yet, this sixth surgical mission last January 30-February 5 was made possible through partnerships with some 69 surgeons and nurses from different medical institutions that include the North Texas Association of Philippine Physicians who are based in the USA, the Operation Share International, Singaporean doctors and medical students from Singapore National Hospital, and the Medical Mission Group of Hospital of Tagum. During the week-long surgical mission, some 369 indigent patients received free surgery for their dif-

ferent illnesses such as hydrocele, hernia, cleft lip and palate, goiter, cysts, and other special cases such as rectal fistulas, colostomy repairs, and nasal polyp removal. “I am happy that I finally got rid of the lump on my arm,” said 34-year old Dennis C. Sabran from Cateel town after operated for cyst excision. He said he had suffered from a huge mass on his upper left arm for more than 20 years, which interfered on his job as a motorcycle driver. While devastated by a typhoon and the recent heavy flooding, he admitted that he can’t afford to have an operation in a private hospital. Like Sabran, most of the patients who came from the impoverished sector could not pay for the expensive cost of surgical operations that ranges from thirty to seventy thousand pesos. Service beyond borders Touching lives and giving hope to the hapless poor sector, the surgical teams gathered by the Provincial Government have traveled all the way to Davao Oriental to perform free surgeries as well as free medical consultations. While patients are pouring thanks to them, the surgeons said they were the ones who are fortunate to be given the opportunity to serve. “We really thank the governor who had gathered all the teams and supported the government public health,” said Dr. Lorna Adolfo, President of the OSI. “We hope to be back here someday to serve the people of Davao Oriental.” “It is a fulfilling activity because we were able to

GENERAL SANTOS CITY

Davao Oriental Gov. Corazon N. Malanyaon led the surgical mission. serve people who cannot give back to us financially. It is rewarding because we can see the happiness in their faces as we were able to reach out them,” said Dr. Joy Sanico, Provincial Health Officer I. Meanwhile, Governor Malanyaon thanked the good doctors who shared their services and time to help the province that is still reeling from the aftermath of typhoon Pablo in 2012 and the recent heavy flooding and landslides brought about by the Low Pressure Area. “Our situation is unbearable, perhaps difficult to overcome but with the outpouring of support from people like you, I think we were able to regain our strength, our resiliency as well as our drive to recover

to bounce back,” she told the volunteer surgeons and nurses, who she described as good Samaritans. Health as a priority As a genuine steward of the people, Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon strongly pushed for health programs since the beginning of her stint as provincial governor in 2007, which resulted for health programs to make significant headway. One testament to this is the upgrade of health facilities including the state-ofthe-art Davao Oriental Provincial Hospital. “We believe that this hospital as a symbol of our priorities for health concerns,” she said. To date, the provincial government is expanding the already upgraded hospital, building new structures that will house the

semi-private and private rooms. Aside from this, the province also initiated the Madayaw Health Care Program, a local health care program where the province pays for the insurance premium of about 36,000 families. The Department of Health has consecutively conferred the Pag-asa Award to Davao Oriental for strengthening and sustaining the functionality of nutrition program. From 17% in 2007, the malnutrition prevalence rate plummeted down to 4%. A collaborative effort Meanwhile, Governor Malanyaon lauded the concerted efforts of the different stakeholders in the success of the Sixth Surgical Mission.

Although no stranger to surgical and medical missions, the governor extended her thanks to the people behind the success of the activity. She further thanked the police and military forces who have not only maintained the peaceful and organized conduct of the activity but as well as the preparation and for providing the manpower in transporting medical supplies and equipment. Aside from the transportation of patients from far-flung villages, soldiers from the 701st Brigade also donated life-saving blood that was transfused to patients who needed it during the mission. [By Karen Lou Deloso/ Photos by Eden Jhan Licayan]

forum here. SPES is a flagship program implemented by DOLE to assist poor but deserving students and outof-school youths intending to pursue their education to gain employment during summer, Christmas vacation or any time of the year. The initiative, which has a maximum annual cycle of 52 days per beneficiary, mainly caters to students

in the tertiary, technical or vocational level. DOLE provides for the 40 percent of the beneficiaries’ salaries, which is based on an area’s prevailing minimum daily wage rate, while the employing offices or establishments shoulder the remaining 60 percent. Non-agriculture workers in Region 12 presently receive a minimum daily pay of P270 while ag-

riculture plantation and non-plantation workers get P248 and P243, respectively, based on Wage Order XII17 issued by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board. Region 12, which is also known as the Soccsksargen Region, comprises the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, North Cotabato and the cities of General Santos, Koro-

nadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato. In 2013, Hoksuan said DOLE-12 spent a total of P31.1 million and enlisted some 10,701 students in the region for the SPES. She said last year’s total number of SPES beneficiaries was up by nearly 50 percent from the 7,213 in 2012. The agency spent around P20.5 million for the program that year. [MindaNews]

DOLE 12 allots P43M for students’summer jobs T

HE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Region 12 has set aside around P43 million for the implementation this year of its flagship Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES). Mary Jane Hoksuan, supervising labor and employment officer of DOLE12, said Monday such allocation will cover for the

salaries and benefits of the 11,771 students that the agency is initially targeting to enlist for the program this summer. She said such figure was based on the 10-percent increase from last year in the number of beneficiaries set by DOLE central office. “That is just our initial target and could still increase as we implement the program,” Hoksuan said in a

5 THE ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 233 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014

UCPB holds Loan Fair in Davao U

CPB is conducting a loan fair at the Abreeza Mall, Davao City on February 21 to 23, 2014 from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Exciting deals and freebies await those who wish to drive their own wheels, live in their dream house, or those who simply would like to have emergency cash anytime through the bank’s auto, home or salary loans program. “Due to the success of the UCPB loan fairs in Taguig City and Angeles City in 2013, we decided to hold a fair in Davao to offer the various loan facilities of the bank in the Mindanao Region. This is part of our proactive approach to demonstrate our commitment to provide the best deals available for our clients by reaching out to them in every part of the country,” UCPB Executive Vice President and Head of Corporate and Consumer Banking Group Higinio O. Macadaeg Jr. said. Fair visitors will re-

ceive instant corporate merchandise, while special prizes courtesy of partner real estate developers and auto dealers will be given away in raffle draws during the 3-day fair. Loan applicants can enjoy exclusive deals such as customized loan packages with flexible terms and low interest rates, ultra-low downpayment of P49,999.00 for auto loans, and free insurance or chattel fees. Approved auto and home loan applicants get gas cards and gift checks. Participating auto loan dealers include Karasia Inc. (Mitsubishi), Toyota, Southern Motors (Isuzu), Chevrolet, KIA, Motormall (Suzuki), Motor Image Pilipinas (Subaru), Hyundai and Honda. Real estate developers Alveo Land, Filinvest and DMC Urban Property Developer Inc. will also participate in the loan fair. This event is just one of the many new and compelling approaches that prove how UCPB

TUDAYA FARMER. A forty-three year old, carrot farmer, Berinia Limokon embraces the new development brought by Hedcor to their area. Limokon said in her dialect, “Hedcor will make our job easier. They will allow us to tap to their pipes for our irrigation. We don’t need to go to the river and fetch water for our plants during dry season”. Hedcor is building another run-of-river power plant with a total capacity of 13.6 MW which will be commissioned by March this year. Currently, Hedcor is also working to complete the requirements for the 68.8 MW Manolo Fortich Hydropower Project in Bukidnon and for the completion of the ongoing construction of 14 MW Sabangan Hydropower Project in Mt Province. (Hedcor)

continues to understand and respond to the needs and aspirations of its clients. Established in

1963, UCPB is the first private Philippine bank to become a universal bank. It is the leading

provider of financial products and services to corporations, private and government institutions,

middle market companies, small-and-medium sized businesses and individuals.

6 THE ECONOMY Stat Watch Indicator

Latest

1. Gross National Income 1. GrossRate National Income Growth Growth Rate2000 Prices) (At Constant

7.1 1st Qtr 2013 6.8

2.2.Gross GrossDomestic DomesticProduct Growth Rate Product (AtGrowth Constant 2000 Prices) Rate

7.8 1st Qtr 2013 7.5

(At Constant 2000 Prices)

3. Exports 1/ 3. Exports

4. Imports 1/ 4. Imports

5. Trade Balance Trade Balance 6.5.Balance of Payments 2/

7.6.Broad Money Liabilities Balance of Payments

2nd Qtr 2013

USD 3,741 million 5,045 FebUSD 2013 million USD 4,708 Sep 2013 million FebUSD 2013 5,711 USD -967 million million Sep 2013 Feb 2013 USD -665 USD -640 million million Sep 2013 Dec 2012 P 4,964,560 USD 692 million million Feb Jun2013 2013 P2.45,980,938 % million Mar 2013 Aug 2013

8. Interest Rates 4/

7. Broad Money Liabilities

P113,609 2.0 % million Sep2013 2013 Mar P P5,281 127,336 billion million Mar Sep2013 2013

9. National Government 8. Revenues Interest Rate 9. National Government

10.Revenues National government outstanding debt outstanding debt

P 5,609 P 41.14 billion Apr 2013

11.Stocks Peso per US $ 12. Composite Index 6/

6,847.5 P 43.83 Mar Sep2013 2013

12. Stocks Composite

6,191.8 132.8 Sep2013 2013 Apr

13. Consumer Price Index

135.2 Oct2.62013

10.Peso National government 11. per US $ 5/

Sep 2013

13. Consumer Index Price Index 2006=100

2006=100 14. Headline Inflation Rate 14. 2006=100 Headline Inflation

Apr 2013

2.9 Oct3.12013

Rate 15. Core Inflation Rate 2006=100

2.5

382,022 Aug 2013 20.9%

17. Underemployment 7/ 17. Rate Underemploymen

Jan 2013 19.2%

18. 18.Unemployment UnemploymentRate Rate7/

7.1% Jan 2013 7.3%

Rate

Jul 2013 Jul 2013

MONTHLY AVERAGE EXCHANGE RATE (January 2011-September 2013) Average December November October September August July June May April March February January

VER 200 technical officials and private sector representatives from within BIMP-EAGA are here in Davao City today, February 11, for a two-day strategic meeting to assess on-going programs under the sub-region’s 20122016 implementation blueprint. Currently held at the Marco Polo Hotel, the 2014 BIMP-EAGA Strategic Planning Meeting will focus on the four-country grouping’s four pillars of development that include connectivity, food basket, environment, and tourism. The BIMP-EAGA stands for Brunei Darussalam Indonesia Malaysia the Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), a sub-regional cooperation founded in 1994 to spur trade, investment, and tourism within the growth area. “This year’s strategic planning will focus on key deliverables and priority projects in the sub-region aligned with the implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community in

418,108 Oct 2013 Feb 2013

16. Visitor Arrivals

Month

BIMP-EAGA meet opens in Davao City

Apr 2013

2006=100

15. Core Inflation Rate 2006=100 16. Visitor Arrivals

2013

2012

2011

43.83 43.86 43.35 42.91 41.30 41.14 40.71 40.67 40.73

42.23 41.01 41.12 41.45 41.75 42.04 41.91 42.78 42.85 42.70 42.86 42.66 43.62

43.31 43.64 43.27 43.45 43.02 42.42 42.81 43.37 43.13 43.24 43.52 43.70 44.17

VOL. 6 ISSUE 233 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014

2015,” said Romeo Montenegro, director of the investment promotions and public affairs of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA). He added that cluster groups dealing with specific sector in BIMP-EAGA would also assess overall performance vis-à-vis its goals and targets by validating status of on-going projects and initiatives. “Our focus in BIMP-EAGA revolves around projects and initiatives that private sector can actively pursue and where government can provide strategic role in terms of infrastructure and policy support,” added Montenegro. Sea and air connectivity within the sub-region have consistently improved with international flights hitting a stable load factor while other sea transport linkages are also being pursued with private sector groups. Direct flights between Puerto Princesa in Palawan and Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, currently being serviced by Malaysia-based MASwings

Sdn Bhd have steadily increased since it started operations in November last year. A sea connectivity, which will provide direct roll-on roll off (RoRo) services between Palawan’s Brooke’s Point and Sabah’s Kudat is also expected to commence by the second semester of this year. “The flight is cornering a load factor of more than 50 percent, and we are seeing solid progress in this initiative,” said Luwalhati Antonino, MinDA chair and Philippine signing minister for BIMP-EAGA. She added that travel operators in Puerto Princesa and Davao are looking at possibilities of developing tour packages to encourage tourist traffic from Kota Kinabalu and the rest of key Mindanao cities. Antonino noted that connectivity is a major enabler for BIMP-EAGA and added “connectivity is crucial in promoting BIMP-EAGA’s ‘Equator Asia’ tourism brand, which demonstrated strong potentials for

growth in the last three years.” Moreover, efforts to improve ICT literacy in the rural communities of the sub-region are also making significant strides in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao where telecenters equipped with stateof-the-art communication equipment and services were installed. Along side with ICT promotion, BIMP-EAGA is establishing an electronic waste (e-waste) facility in a bid to protect the environment from harmful contaminants caused by improper disposal of electronic equipment. E-waste poses health risks and pollution problem due to its high content of metallic and combustible components. The sub-region also steps up its food basket strategy by pushing for massive hybrid rice and corn seeds production. Last year, the Department of Agriculture has identified 30,000 hectares of land in Mindanao and Palawan for the

production of hybrid rice and corn seeds. Antonino said that a one-hectare hybrid rice farm can yield at least 10 tonnes of rice for every planting season, as compared with inbred or regular rice farming, which only yield a maximum of four tonnes per hectare every planting cycle. “A food and agribusiness corridor development program is also being developed to propel BIMP-EAGA’s growing agribusiness industries citing food and aqua-marine products and agri-business development as Mindanao’s contributions to this undertaking,” she added. Antonino said that the sub-region has also recognized the need to firm up cooperation on disaster risk reduction protocol for BIMP-EAGA, as well as coordinated response mechanism for relief and rehabilitation. “All our initiatives are geared toward the anticipated ASEAN Economic Integration, which is expected to commence in a year’s time,” she said.

future plans for energy management as well as the challenges being faced by the different organizations. “Intelligent energy management has a significant contribution to economic growth,” said Philippe Reveilhac, Country President for Schneider Electric Philippines. “It doesn’t only lead agencies to environmental stewardship, but it also helps them lower energy costs and also increase profit,” he added. The recent findings also show that funding is the largest barrier to meeting energy efficiency goals in organizations; answered by 39% of those surveyed. Return on Investment came in second with 32%. Companies usually

perceive longer waiting period before return on investment because of the significant amount of investment that they have to provide for energy efficiency upgrades. This causes some of the companies to push investment to energy management aside in favor of other investments with quicker returns such as increasing market share or expanding production. ‘Companies that do not prioritize investment on energy management for the reason that it involves a substantial amount of capital are missing out on the higher long-term earnings potential for their businesses,” said Reveilhac Although some of the companies are hesitant

to invest in energy management, the increase in amount of data being produced and used by the companies as well as the intention of reducing costs are just some of the compelling reasons why many choose to continue to invest in energy management. 35% of the respondents reported that they will increase investment on energy management for 2014; a mere 11% said that their investment will be the same as 2013, and 9% reported that it will be less than their current year’s investment. “The decision of several organizations to invest more on energy management opens up a lot of opportunities,” said Reveilhac. “Schneider Electric aims to ex-

plore these opportunities to further improve the energy solutions we provide and to help companies meet their energy efficiency and cost savings goal.” With the increase in data volume and the evolving process management, the innovation of different infrastructures, and other trends that come with constant changes and expansion in technology, the respondents were asked to share their forecasts on what energy management approaches would gain the most traction in the next 5 years. The majority 25% surveyed answered building automation followed by 14% efficient lighting and 12% data center efficiency.

Energy cost savings, key driver to energy management decisions

N a survey conducted during the Schneider Electric Xperience Efficiency event last September of 2013 in Manila, it showed that companies operating in the Philippines are becoming more mindful of the implications and importance of energy management to the success of their business; with 73% percent of respondents saying that cost savings is the biggest driver that impacts energy management decisions. The survey includes 400 representatives from facilities management, engineering and finance department of various industry players in the country. It was done to gather information on current and

as of May 2013 Cebu Pacific Daily Zest Air Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Philippine Airlines Daily Philippine Airlines Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri/Sun Philippine Airlines Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Thu

5J961 / 5J962 Z2390 / Z2390 5J593 / 5J348 PR809 / PR810 PR819 / PR820 5J394 / 5J393 5J599 / 5J594 5J347 / 5J596 5J963 / 5J964 PR811 / PR812 5J595 / 5J966 5J965 / 5J968

5:45 5:45 6:00 6:10 7:50 7:50 8:00 9:10 9:40 11:30 12:00 12:55

Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Cebu-Davao-Iloilo Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Zamboanga-Davao-Zamboanga Cebu-Davao-Cebu Iloilo-Davao-Cebu Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Cebu-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila

6:15 6:25 6:30 7:00 8:50 8:10 8:30 9:40 10:10 12:20 12:30 13:25

Cebu Pacific Tue/Wed//Sat 5J965 / 5J968 13:35 Silk Air Mon/Sat MI588 / MI588 13:35 Silk Air Wed/Sun MI566 / MI566 15:20 Silk Air Thurs MI551 / MI551 12:05 Cebu Pacific Mon/Tue/Wed/Fri 5J507 / 5J598 15:00 Philippine Airlines August 15:55 Mani2Mani 16:50 Zest Air Daily Z2524 / Z2525 16:05

Manila-Davao-Manila Davao-Singapore Davao-Singapore Davao-Singapore Cebu-Davao-Cebu

14:05 18:55 18:55 15:45 15:30

Cebu-Davao-Cebu

16:45

7 ENVIRONMENT

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 233 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014

Nuclear power: A viable option for impending energy crisis? By GERRY T. ESTRERA

ORE than two decades ago, former Energy undersecretary Rufino Bomasang underscored the shortage of electricity in the country at a media briefing on business and economics reporting convened by the Press Foundation of Asia at Los Baños, Laguna. “Our shortage of electricity is a real, serious problem that we cannot downplay. But if we focus exclusively on it, we run the risk of seeing just the trees and not the forest,” Bomasang said. Today, the scenario has not changed. As the Philippines continues to pursue a path of global competitiveness, it is becoming evident that securing an adequate energy supply will be ever more critical to its growing industries. The Department of Energy (DOE) is thinking of nuclear energy should be an option for the country in the future. “We’re looking at it on a long-term basis,” said

Energy Secretary Jericho L. Petilla. “We’re counting on (nuclear as an option). At the same time, we have to look at the technical side, and then recommend later on if studies show that it’s good for the country.” According to Petilla, social dimension — or the possible non-acceptance of nuclear energy by the public — is the limiting factor why the government is excluding it from its energy mix. “Nuclear is not in the energy mix today,” Petilla pointed out. “The major advantage of nuclear power generation is that it’s cheap — you’re talking generation of P2.50 to P3 per kilowatt-hour, compared to today’s generation of P5 a kWh and up.” Last year, the Philippines was listed as one of the Southeast Asian nations which conducted a study on the use of nuclear energy as a power source “given oil price volatility.” Several companies asked about the possibility of

building nuclear energy facilities in the country. It must be recalled the Westinghouse Electric built the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) in the Philippines during the

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time of Ferdinand Marcos at a cost of US$2.2 billion. It was mothballed in 1986 due to safety concerns, even before it could begin operations. During the administration of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, proponents wanted the BNPP rehabilitated. But it would cost a whooping US$1 billion to rehabilitate. Nuclear power is the use of sustained nuclear fission to generate heat and electricity. Nuclear power plants provide about 5.7% of the world’s energy and 13% of the world’s electricity, according to Nobel Prize winner Al Gore. In 2007, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported there were 439 nuclear power reactors in operation in the world, operating in 31 countries. There is an ongoing debate about the use of nuclear energy. Proponents, such as the World Nuclear Association, the IAEA and Environmentalists for Nuclear Energy contend that nuclear power is a sustainable energy source that reduces carbon emissions. That was what Petilla also reiterated. Even before he was appointed to his current position, he admitted that he was already looking at nuclear energy as a possible power source option. Aside from economic reasons, another advantage of nuclear energy, he said, is “that it’s clean, meaning no emissions.” But “environmentalists and militant groups will certainly raise objections should government adopt

the nuclear option,” said an editorial of Business Mirror. “They would certainly cite the specter of a meltdown – as what happened in Chernobyl in the former Soviet Union, Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania in the US and, more recently, the Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan after the devastating earthquake and tsunami in March 2011,” the business daily explained. The Economist said nuclear power “looks dangerous, unpopular, expensive and risky,” and that “it is replaceable with relative ease and could be forgone with no huge structural shifts in the way the world works.” The Fukushima nuclear disaster prompted a rethink of nuclear energy policy in many countries. Germany decided to close all its reactors by 2022, and Italy has banned nuclear power. “Nuclear power is beset by problems that go well beyond its propensity for occasional accidents,” noted Christopher Flavin, of the Washington-based Worldwatch Institute. “Technologically, economically, and politically, nuclear power faces a series of obstacles that will prevent it from coming close to displacing fossil fuels to significantly delay global warming.” Flavin, who wrote the 1987 Worldwatch paper entitled Reassessing Nuclear Power: The Fallout from Chernobyl, cited an analysis done by the Rocky Mountain Institute in Colorado. It has developed a nuclear

scenario that reduces global warming by 20 to 30 percent by the middle of 21st century through the substitution of nuclear plants for all coal-fired plants. “Analysis at the Rocky Mountain Institute found that this would require the completion of one nuclear power plant every one to three days during the next 40 years,” Flavin wrote. “Many countries would be almost blanketed by nuclear plants, and the cost would run to as much as $9 trillion.” A nuclear power program of this scale, Flavin said, would require not just a reversal of a worldwide trend, but a program of nuclear construction that is 10 times as large as any the world has seen. “Such an effect is unthinkable, both economically and politically,” he said. “Indeed, a democratic government that tried it would most likely soon be voted out of office.” On the brighter side, nuclear power has caused far fewer accidental deaths per unit of energy generated than other major forms of power generation. In comparison, energy production from coal, natural gas, and hydropower have caused far more deaths due to accidents. Nuclear power plant accidents rank first in terms of their economic cost, accounting for 41 percent of all property damage attributed to energy accidents, according to Benjamin K. Sovacool, author of the study, A preliminary assessment of major energy accidents, 1907–2007.

EDGEDAVAO

VANTAGE

VOL. 6 ISSUE 233 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014

EDITORIAL

Slow in enforcement

OVERNMENT is throwing the book on the owners of Florida Trans passenger bus that plunged into a deep ravine, killing 14 people and injuring many more, in Bontoc, Mountain Province last Friday. It is reported that many government agencies are getting into the act of filing charges against the bus company. The Highway Patrol Group (HPG) plans to charge the owners of Florida Trans with violation of the Land Transportation Code or Republic Act 4136, also known as the Anti-Carnapping Act of 1972 as the bus was discovered to have been using license plates belonging to another vehicle. The engine and chassis numbers were found to have been tampered with. Police probers are also set to file charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and physical injuries against the bus company. The Bontoc accident is only one of the many deadly mishaps that occur in this country with regularity. If one looks more closely into the violations of law that usually result in fatal accidents in the Philippines, he will realize that the fault lies in the weak enforce-

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ment of laws designed to make transportation safe for the riding public. If only the enforcers of the LTFRB, Land Transportation Office, HPG and other agencies are diligent in monitoring the operation of passenger vehicles, deadly mishaps could be minimized. That these passenger buses continue to operate with spurious documents and questionable road-worthiness, it is either because the enforcers are lethargic, or worse, on the take from erring transportation companies. It seems that enforcers only act if the simple law infractions become so rampant that they take the monstrous form of a social problem. For instance, policemen don’t stop illegal vending and squatting if they are committed by a few individuals. Some policemen are even accused of protecting them for pecuniary considerations. They would only act when informal settlers and sidewalk vendors come in droves, capable of defying enforcers thereby creating anarchy. The situation becomes even more convoluted with the entry of tolerant politicians and money-oriented lawyers.

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NCREASING IMPATIENCE OF THE PEOPLE – Hope for change and reforms sprang among well-meaning and good-intentioned members of society. Among them is the appropriate use of public funds. Every year both the Senate and the House of Representatives have to review the national budget thoroughly before they will agree either to increase or realign public expenditures. Under the administration of President Benigno Aquino III, it has been a great deal more thorough specifically this year when resources are scarce and budget planning is tight. Even so, even Congress leaders and senior officials do not think they have accomplished enough. Public money still is far from being used as efficiently and effectively as it used to be. The observation may have been meant to assure the public of transparency, but it speaks well of the government’s indecisiveness when it comes to the handling and use of public funds. Today, as in the yesteryears, close to half of the government’s usable budget – that portion of the country’s annual appropriations left over after providing for debt services – more than half of the usable funds goes to personnel services alone. As a result, government simply does not have enough capital resources to keep up even its basic services – and what it does spend has gone disproportionate to the non-poor sector instead. What is more lamentable is that there have been several bills in Congress aimed at easing out mass poverty and stirring up countryside development that are crying out for attention. These include proposals for rural infrastructure like farm-to-market roads, post-harvest facilities and irrigation

ARDLY a day passes but that there’s violence somewhere in Mindanao, especially in areas of contention in the peace negotiations. Ambush, kidnapping, killing, harassment, sabotage, other disturbances that offend law and order. These unseemly incidents are happening mostly in places where the MILF wants to have exclusive jurisdiction, eventually to be under the Bangsamoro entity which it will control. In other words, even as peace talks are taking place, peace is being shattered, negated by unchecked violence and criminality. One wonders what the MILF is doing about them; just as we wonder what the deal is with the BIFF. It’s very bad that people continue to be victimized indiscriminately—regardless of whether they are non-combatant, non-partisan, plain citizen, or just visiting. Such occurrences bespeak barbarism: uncivilized behavior, dishonorable conduct. But rarely do we hear them denounced by the very people who are suing for peace or demanding special concessions or privilege from our society. No expression of disapproval, let alone outrage. No Fatwa. What kind of Peace? Let’s suppose that a peace agreement is signed this week; will there be peace next week? Or next month? Will killing or terrorism cease? Will there be order and respect for law? Obviously not, because although the MILF is armed and have access to elements operating outside the law, they have no control. In fact, their presence and posturing

VOL. 6 ISSUE 233 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014

Too much politics system, for expanding energy source, water supply and c o u n t r ys i d e i nve s t m e n t . Many of these projects have been stalled either for lack of funds or lack of political will to do, or both. What makes matter worse, for instance, after analyzing budget trends independent economists and financial experts concluded that the bulk of public money actually goes to the country’s richer regions and priority development assistance funds (PDAF)ended up in the deep pockets of some alleged cash-starved lawmakers and other corruptors and into the coffers of bogus organizations. Renowned political analysts and economist noted that many administration policies actually are not implemented accordingly as provided under the existing government procedures. As a matter of fact, our tax system takes – in percentage terms – more from the poor (about 30 percent) than the rich, which is only 20 percent. Based on rough estimate tax evasion involving mostly big capitalists and influential entrepreneurs cost the government about P40 to P50 billion a year. Government says it implemented an intensive tax collection campaign yet independent financial experts refuted the claim saying there is actually no effective capital-gains tax and taxes of real property and other profitable ventures are both

extremely low and lightly enforced. Moreover, government incurred massive losses amounting to several billions annually due to widespread corruption and rampant smuggling. Another serious problem is too much politics. Like our socio-economic policies, politics still has a kind of duality. Side by side with the politics of patronage in traditional society, what we have is a modern political community largely based in Metro Manila and other bustling metropolis. Public policies therefore are mainly crafted by lawmakers who likewise live in the big cities. On the other hand, the urban middle class has begun to exert its influence on national politics and imposed its own standards on legislators who were overwhelmingly elected by the poor majority. Obviously, we now have a discrepancy between what the poor majority accepts and what the big-city middle class insists on. These problems will become more and more severe in coming years – unless Congress and the Aquino leadership soon raise the political will to do something about it. The urgency of their work is underlined for them by the increasing impatience of the people particularly the poor majority – and the growing pessimism about their prospects and the future of the country. The Executive and the Legislative branches of government cannot take their responsibilities lightly certainly because they cannot command people’s loyalties to the leadership, the legislature and the representative system it stands for unless they can prove to them over and over again that they have their interests at heart.

Still more hard questions WORM’S EYEVIEW BY MANNY VALDEHUESA tends to destabilize conditions, keeping law enforcers from effectively establishing order. This raises a question of what kind of peace they are negotiating. Although the communities where these bad things take place have their own government—barangay, municipal, provincial, regional levels!—the people in them have little or no influence over events or movements in their premises. Too intimidated, they dare not intervene. So it is difficult to imagine what kind of peace is contemplated by the MILF to obtain in these communities. Can there be true peace where people have no control over their local arrangements, where their own government is too intimidated as to be able to impose the popular will. What kind of peace is it that is readily manipulated by internal or external pressure? Peace cannot come about merely by signing pieces of paper, followed by self-congratulating rhetoric. Peace is where, on one hand, there is no enmity, distrust, or violence (negative factors) and, on the other, there is goodwill, fraternal relations, and civility or mutual respect (positive factors). With neither set of factors obtaining, the issue begs the question. Thus, one wonders where the so-called peace-making efforts are headed. Trust but Verify! If the peace being sought shows no pos-

sibility of fulfillment while negotiations are taking place, which is the time to show cause or goodwill, how can people be convinced of its possibility in a theoretical future? Will neighborliness reign in Mindanao communities at the end of the peace process? How does the MILF or whatever Bangsamoro entity is established guarantee the peace? Are the duly- established governments in the areas they claim to control operational? If they’re not; if they have no demonstrable capability for autonomy or self-governance; if they are able to operate mainly through the dictation or guidance of arms-bearing overlords, then we are merely setting up the people in them for a feudal dispensation, turning them over to an oligarchy, depriving them of their role in a democracy and its benefits. To be fair to the people, let there be an earnest implementation of the Local Government Code in their respective barangays, municipalities, provinces. And hold the ARMM government to their responsibility to perform and demonstrate good governance as never before. That’s one way to verify whether we can even begin to trust in the so-called Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro. Remember how we were assured that we could trust the so-called “Final Agreement” with the MNLF in 1996? [Manny is former UNESCO regional director for Asia-Pacific, secretary-general of Southeast Asian Publishers Association, director at development academy of Philippines, vice chair of Local Government Academy, member of the Cory Government’s Peace Panel, and PPI-UNICEF awardee for outstanding columnist. valdehuesa@gmail.com]

VANTAGE POINTS

Expressing and sharing love through adoption SPECIAL FEATURE BY LEILANI S. JUNIO

HIS month of February, being attributed as ‘love month’ by many people from all walks of life, is one of the most fitting moments to express and share love for the people we care about-- the people closest to our hearts, our love ones, family circles, friends, co-workers and children, of course. Usually, the children whom we shower our love are part of our family and circles of friends only. Perhaps, it is time to pause and think that somewhere out there, a child or group of children from orphanage is just awaiting for your love as ‘parents’ or their potential ‘adoptive parents’ who can share them love, time and everything. Since the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is set to observe the 16th Adoption Consciousness Week celebration this coming Feb. 15-23 of this year, adoption of children is being encouraged once more. “In adoption, children from the child-caring institutions were given a new hope and brighter future,” said DSWD NCR Regional director Ma. Alicia Bonoan. Director Bonoan said it is very timely to heighten awareness about the beauty and benefits of adoption to the adopter, adoptee and the biological parents of the children who surrendered them for adoption. Adoption is a socio-legal process of providing a permanent family to a child whose parents have voluntarily or involuntarily relinquished parental authority over the child. “Legal adoption provides the same rights and obligations that exist between children and their biological parents,” Bonoan explained. In adoption, the children are given the chance to experience the joy of having parents and families that will love them as their own children and make their dreams become a reality -- a better future that they truly deserve for their holistic development. The birth parents of the child placed for adoption can also gain security on the other hand that their children will be protected, loved and cared as they relinquished their rights over them when they placed them for legal adoption. “The birth parents of children who surrendered their son/daughter for adoption to the child-caring agencies of DSWD can be assured that there will be a much and better future for them that may be provided by their adoptive parents,” Bonoan pointed out. Adoption gives both adopter and adoptee reciprocal rights and obligations arising from the relationship of parents and child. In adoption, the adopter can have the right to choose the name of the child to be known. Also, in legal adoption, it enables the adopter and adoptee to become legal and compulsory heirs of each other. The adoption also sever or cuts the legal ties between the biological parents and their child. Under Republic Act 9523, the DSWD is required to declare a child legally available for adoption as a pre-requisite for adoption proceedings. Since 2010 until 2012, the DSWD had facilitated the processing of domestic adoption of about 243 children. In 2010, 68 children were placed for adoption; 86 in 2011; and 89 in 2012. For this year’s observance of adoption consciousness week, the advocacy campaign will be highlighted by encouragement of more adoptive families to consider adoption to benefit children needing adoptive parents. As part of the campaign, the DSWD together with other support agencies will lead it by deploying social workers and information officers on Feb 15,16, 22 and 23 to selected malls nationwide to accept queries on procedures about adoption including like the process involve in undertaking.[PNA]

NEWS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 233 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

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SECURITY. The provincial government of Davao del Norte led by Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario assures the safety and security of the delegates throughout the duration of the Davao Region Athletic Association (DAVRAA) meet currently held in Tagum City. Lean Daval Jr.

Birth, marriage mobile registration down By CHENEEN R. CAPON

crc@edgedavao.net

HE number of Dabawenyos availing the mobile registration for birth and marriage significantly decreased for the last two years. City Civil Registration officer-in-charge Atty. Leo Anthony R. Braceros reported in yesterday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Annex that last year there were a total of 2,206 or 88. 2 percent of the 2,500 birth registration target in 2013. He added

that in 2012, only 1,989 registered. Marriage registration in the city also went down last year compared to the previous year. Records showed that there were only 1,312 or 87.5 percent of the 1,500 marriage registration target. In 2012, Braceros said that the number of marriage registrations exceeded the 1,500 target by 34 percent or 507. He said that the 2013 data bared that Dabawen-

yos are now availing the on-time registration, adding that mobile registration is a program of the office which goes to far-flung baranggays of the city. It caters late registration of births and marriages. Another reason, according to him is because of the two elections last year. Braceros said they reduced their activity to prevent any political issue. He added that the civil registration will lower the target for this year by

1,000 in birth registration because of the significance decrease. Meantime, the CCR in partnership with the National Statistics Office and SM Mall will have a mall tour and mobile registration on February 15 and 16 at SM City and another on February 22- 23 at SM Lanang Premier. This is part of the month-long celebration of the 83rd anniversary of the Civil Registration in the Philippines.

It said 80 percent of the respondents (56 percent strongly agree and 24 percent somewhat agree) agreed that the Philippines should seek the help of other nations amid China’s continuous strengthening of military forces in the South China Sea. About 93 percent also believe that the Philippines should defend its territory and natural resources in the West Philippine Sea through lawful means. Manila calls parts of the South China Sea that falls within its exclusive economic zone as West Philippine Sea. SWS also said that 77percent recognizes international law as a great equalizer against countries that are stronger militarily and economically. The Department of Foreign Affairs said the survey showed the “overwhelming support of the Filipino

people for the arbitration case and our rules-based approach to the West Philippine Sea dispute.” “(It) proves that taking a principled stance... strongly resonates with the Filipino people,” Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez said at the survey’s launch. The SWS survey was the first attempt to measure public sentiments over the varying approaches to dealing with the long unresolved territorial conflicts. The Philippine government has aggressively opposed China’s expansive territorial claims in the strategic sea, challenging Beijing’s claim before an international arbitration body in January last year. China has been angered by the Philippine defiance but Philippine officials have steadfastly pursued moves against what they perceived to be Chinese aggression.

A number of Filipino academicians and former diplomats, however, has advocated a softer stance, including bilateral negotiations with China to resolve the territorial disputes. China has been criticized by many nations, led by the United States, for its rapidly expanding claim over the waters despite a commitment under a non-binding code of conduct it signed in 2002 with Southeast Asian nations that claimants will exercise restraint and stop new occupation in the South China Sea. China claims “indisputable sovereignty” over the entire waters, where undersea gas deposits have been discovered in several areas, even as it overlaps with the territories of its Asian neighbors. Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan are also claimants to the South China Sea. [PNA]

Filipinos back PHL gov’t decision to confront China

OST Filipinos gave their strong backing to the steps taken by the Philippine government on its territorial row with China, including a move to legally challenge Beijing’s sweeping claim over the resource-rich South China Sea, an independent pollster revealed on Monday. The Social Weather Stations (SWS) also disclosed a low trust rating for China in a separate survey. Majority of the 1,550 respondents nationwide in the polls commissioned by the Department of Foreign Affairs from Dec. 11 to 16 said they are aware of the ongoing territorial disputes between the Philippines and China. The SWS found that 81 percent (62 percent strongly agree and 20 percent somewhat agree) agreed with the government’s filing of case against China through the United Nations.

fice, said that he expects more apprehensions for the month of February. In December 2013, TMG tallied 303, and last January 402 offenders. Zaulda said out of the total violators, 80% were drivers of privately owned vehicles and 10% of motorcycles. Before the advent of the speed limit law, 49% of accidents tallied involved vehicles driven without regard for speed limitations, he explained. Zaulda noticed that public transport vehicles like PUJs, taxicabs, vans, and buses are following the speed limit law, hence the few apprehensions. There are days when only one or two are apprehended. Meanwhile, violators usually complain against the accuracy of the speed gun whenever they get

caught, Zaulda revealed. He said that out of 821 violators of the speed limit observed, drivers usually violate the 40 kph to 60 kph. This is because the TMG enforces the speed limit of 60 kilometer per hour along the highway from Sirawan to Ulas Crossing, from Calinan to Ulas Crossing, from Panacan to Lasang, and from Carlos P. Garcia Highway/Mc Arthur Highway to Panacan, all within the city’s jurisdiction and 40 kph from Ulas to Generoso Bridge/Bolton Bridge, from Panacan Crossing to J.P. Laurel Avenue –Alcantara and from Ma-a Road to MacArthur Highway. Other speed limit is 30 kilometers per hour (KPH) in the downtown area. Violators will be facing violation for reckless driving, the driver’s license confiscated and will be fined

place of birth of Rep. Bello. Bello also announced that upon request of Mayor Duterte, his district office in Davao City will facilitate the construction of a foodbridge in Barangay Panacan, a barangay in the Second District. Vice Mayor Duterte and Councilor Bello also supported the medical mission by sending “lugaw” for the people who came for medical consultation and treat-

ment. Local barangay officials led by Brgy. Chair Rolando Trajera, Boy dela Cruz, Kag. Roselda Panao and Kid Lidunao helped manage the mission. Ms. Eva Collado, IBAP coordinator for Davao City, as well as volunteer doctors: Jo A. Cullo, Jesse Mar Culaste and Roda Sabay were on hand, as well as Dr. Dang L. Asinas of Shoppe and See Vision. (Boy Dacumos/ Rose B. Palacio)

tions are ongoing, on November 21, 2013 forensic experts hired by EZYield confirmed that this cyber-attack resulted in the unauthorized access to the name and credit card information, including the CVV code, credit card number, and expiration date, of two Philippine residents,” Christopher J. Dilleno, EZYield’s representative, said in his communication to BTRCP. Dilleno added that the company already provided the affected Philippine residents with written notice of the incident last December 6.

DTI-Davao tegion officer-in-charge Ma. Belenda Q. Ambi said the public must be more vigilant in transacting online. “Considering that even a big firm like EZYield has become a victim of cyber-attack, it only means that these cyber-attackers are experts in doing it, that even if you are implementing a tight security system, they still could get through it,” she said. Ambi said consumers who have experienced cyber-attack may contact any DTI office near them. [DTI 11/JenMendoza]

sexually abused by their father, brother or cousins. Among the reasons of incest the agency noted was the absence of the victims’ mothers. She said that the 21 cases were still for court apprehension. Meanwhile, DSWD 11 is celebrating the Child Abuse Prevention Week (February 8- 15) and Adoption Consciousness Week on the following week. Sheryl Anne Dumalogdog, focal person for adoption in DSWD 11, said that there a total of 100 adoption application last year and

39 were already approved. Dumalogdog said that 16 applications undergone inter country adoption. The rest applications were still on the court and waiting for verdict. Dumalogdog said that the stability psycho-social aspect of the applicants is the priority requirement in adopting not only the financial aspect. Segovia said that most of the inter-country application for adoption came from Spain. This is because the Spanish government gives incentives to those who adopt children.

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EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 233 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014

BIGGER PICTURE

A formula on inclusive development By SAHARA S. MAMA

T has been a few months since I and my fellow intern Saima Pantakan entered the doors of AboitizPower’s office in Davao City. I was curious on what would I get or learn in this company, to think that I don’t have any connection or experience with this kind of company - a company that deals in generating electricity. I thought to myself that I am not an engineer or a technician or electrician. Maybe I am not suited here, so why am I here? But all of these thoughts were cleared out when we met Jason Magnaye when he oriented us on where we would be assigned. I learned that I would be assigned in environmental concerns with Diego Tautho, the Pollution Control Officer of the project. Environment? So what would an electricity generating company have something to do with the environment? Pollution? The first thing I thought was electricity can pollute the environment. Does it release polluted smoke? These again were answered when we met Sir Diego the next day. He oriented us about the project, Therma South Inc. (TSI), of putting up a Coal-Fired Power Plant (CFPP) in the areas of Brgy. Binugao, Davao City and Inawayan, Sta. Cruz.,and on how will it work to produce electricity. It was the first time I heard and saw the coal they will be using, a special coal they will be importing from Indonesia. He also explained to us the Circulating Fluidized Bed (CFB), the new technology they will use in the project. I learned that this technology has a filter that could minimize, if not stop or trap the emission of sulfur oxide and nitrogen ox-

ide from the plant. He also introduced the Multi-partite Monitoring Team (MMT), which is a requirement of the project’s Environmental Compliance Certificates (ECC). The MMT it is a team composed of different sectors, from DENR/EMB, TSI, LGU, NGO, PO and other concerned agencies. The main role of MMT is to monitor the construction of CFPP up to its operation. They would monitor and report if the construction violates the policies or guidelines stated in the ECC. The MMT will monitor and ensure the project would not give negative impacts to the environment and to the community at stake. He also shared to us about their Carbon Sink Management Program (CSMP), which is another requirement under the ECC. A CSMP must be established to equalize or absorb the carbon dioxide that will be emitted from the CFPP. Their CSMP is situated in Marilog District in Davao City, accordingly as a choice of the LGU. Their implementation of the project will be in the period of 10 years. For their first years they have 51 community partners mostly from Matigsalog Tribe, who would devote 2 hectares of their lands to the project. In return the TSI would provide some seedlings, establish a nursery, give capacity building and training on nursery establishment, seedling propagation, soil and water conservation and multiple cropping. In addition, they would also give financial support for the maintenance of the said project. What is good I observed in their programs, is that they just do not sup-

The Matigsalog tribe’s nursery in Marilog.

Therma South employees join Matigsalogs in a tree-planting ceremony last year port the community finan- guide and entertainer at was not in the house at that cially but they also capaci- the same time) and very time. I was a bit disappointtate or empower the com- fruitful (literally fruitful munity to be resourceful because we have with us ed because I had questions with the environment they fruits back home given by to ask from him regarding how he choose the first 51 have. They did not make the community). the community dependent Our first drop-off in the participants of the project to outside support. They area was in Marahan East out of many households in fact, taught the commu- where the nursery site is they have, what were his nity on how to enrich and located. According to Sir basis? And if the tribprotect their environment, Perry the seedlings were al council did encounter so they could sustain their already distributed to the problems or complaints livelihood not just momen- community partners, the with their decisions and tarily but for a lifetime if only ones left in the site what did they do to manpossible. were their wildings that age or solve those probOf all these mentioned may be distributed in De- lems, if they had? Nevertheless I still duties of TSI to the com- cember this year. munity, most of it were There we also met Mr. went home happy to have already done. Many mem- Gani, son-in-law of the care- seen the warm welcome of bers of the partner com- taker of the nursery and at the natives and their posimunity have already ful- the same time helper in the tive response in protecting filled their part as some of maintenance of the area. I and rehabilitation of their them already planted the found out through him that forest. For the two weeks seedlings they received they are happy with the from the TSI and some project, as he compared of my internship in TSI, have already established to some agencies that had through the orientation the nursery site. already tried to help them of Sir Jason and Sir Diego, In one of our trips, we in rehabilitation of their plus the reading materials accompanied TSI’s forester forest that only give seed- I read and with the shared Perry Maningas and went lings, but with the TSI they experiences of Sir Perry, I to Marilog area. We trav- are thankful because aside have realized that the obelled from the city proper from seedlings and train- jective a company/industo the area. It was a long ings, they are also aided try like TSI should not only yet full of enjoyment (as sir with money to support the be earning bunches of Perry became our tourist maintenance of the project money. In order for it to be and their livelihood. After the nursery site successful, it also requires we went to Sitio Namnam, a long time process of rewhere the other commu- searching (as what TSI did nity partners reside. As in their EIS), long days of we travelled, I saw the planning, hiring of having a vast land area of Marilog lot of responsible and comand the scattered houses petitive employees, and situated in the sides of the most of all, consideration mountains and the com- and concern to the envimunity mostly dependent ronment and to the comon the environment they munity. I also realized that CSR have. We meet Mr. Aurelio and PCO officers play viEmbang, one of the part- tal roles in promoting the ners, we learned from him success of the company to that many of the partners the community and envihave already planted their ronment, as they are their seedlings but some of the connections. In their Environment seedlings did not survive. After Sitio Namnam we Impact Statement, I was travelled around to reach amazed on how TSI took Sitio Upian, where Juani- seriously their research to Mandahay resides, the or study on the conditions tribal leader of Matigsalog of the environment (land, Tribe, unfortunately he air, water and living

things inhabited). They also spent a lot of time predicting and analyzing the environmental impacts or the “might be” situations of the project to the community and environment. Best of all, TSI gave emphasis on the mitigating or preventive measures they have to comply to minimize if not prevent those “might be negative impacts” stated. Based on the reports I read and as observed in Marilog, most of these “must do” programs of the TSI were already undertaken. Above all, I realized that building a company does not only give profit to the owner but it also brings employment and programs to the community. It adds taxes to the government and contributes to the progress of the country as a whole. If only all the companies will be responsible and considerate of the bad impacts of their projects to the community and just show their concern to the community and environment, there will be no resistance or violent reaction from the community and other concerned agencies to the companies. There will be harmonious relationships between the companies, LGUs and the community. [Sahara, 26, was the class valedictorian of the Mindanao State University (Marawi City) class of 2009. She works for the Iranun Mangroves Growers Association and TASBIKKA, Inc. an alliance of farmers in her hometown in Parang, Maguindanao. Sahara was endorsed by the UK-based NGO International ALERT to immerse with Therma South, Inc. in Davao City to learn valuable lessons on how communities and companies can peacefully co-exist.]

12 CLASSIFIEDS EDGEDavao Davao Partners

VOL. 6 ISSUE 233 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014

EDGEDAVAO EDGEDavao Davao Partners

EDGEDavao Gensan Partners

Tel No. (083) 553-2211 / (083) 877-0019 / (083) 878-0308

13 COMMUNITY SENSE

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 233 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014 VOL. 6 ISSUE 233 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014

Putting back the pieces after the storm T

HE dust has settled and yet Typhoon Yolanda survivors are still faced with a pressing question – how do they begin to start over after losing so much? The situation is particularly daunting to a number of them who relocated in Metro Manila and its suburbs armed only with faith and determination. Getting a job becomes a big challenge especially to survivors who do not have the right

educational qualifications, prompting Globe Telecom to lend a hand starting with those who are now staying in Isla Bonita, a housing community for roughly 100 families from Leyte who were adopted by the municipality of Rosario, Cavite. “When we learned about this housing community, the first thing that came to our mind was how Globe can help. Initially, the sales team set up

General Santos Drive, Koronadal City, South Cotabato 9506

Tel. No. 083-228-2511 ; Fax No. 083-228-2654

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Requirements: Requirements: 1. Driver’s License with Official Receipt 1. License (2 with Official Receipt 2. 2 x Driver’s 2 I.D. picture pcs.) 2. 2 x 2 I.D. (2 pcs.) or clearance from 3. Certificate of picture Employment 3. Certificate of Employment or clearance from

May previous apply in employment person at Human Resource Department, YBLI in Office, General Santos Resource Drive, May apply person at Human Koronadal City. Department, YBLI Office, General Santos Drive, Koronadal City.

a Libreng Tawag station and provided tents for medical missions and debriefing but going around the area, we realized there was so much more that could be done,” said Bernie Llamzon, Globe Executive Vice President for Consumer Sales. He added: “We decided to give the survivors a means to sustain their stay in Rosario. Most of them were not able to finish their schooling so their choices are limited. Providing the survivors with jobs will help bring back normalcy into their lives and give them hope for a wonderful future.” For the survivors who want to start anew, this opportunity was the silver lining they had been looking for. Out of some 50 applicants, Globe hired 16 as Distributor Selling Agents who are deployed to various areas in Cavite during project executions to sell SIM

Some of Typhoon Yolanda survivors from Leyte who are now Globe Distributor Selling Agents. cards and prepaid load. At a daily rate of P450, they now have resources to secure their daily needs. The provision of livelihood opportunities to calamity victims is part of Globe

Telecom’s Project Wonderful sustainable development platform which aims to help the government in nation-building and in helping disaster survivors recover from the ordeal.

DepEd, Smart ink partnership Realty FOR SALE:

1) 1-hectare commercial lot at P10,000/sq m, along National Highway, facing east, beside NCCC Panacan, Davao City. 2) 17,940sq m commercial lot at P2,500/sq m, along Matina Diversion Road. 3) 3,831 sq m lot along Matina Diversion Road. 4) 41,408 sq m commercial/ industrial lot at P800/sq m along the National Highway, Bunawan. 5) 7,056 sq m at P1,200/sq m commercial/residential lot along Indangan Road, Buhangin District. 6) 27,411 sq m commercial/ industrial lot along the National Highway in Bincungan, Tagum City. 7) 116.15 to 245.92 sq meters , at P5.5M to P12.3M commercial/ office condo units in Bajada, Davao City. 8) 699 to 1,117 sq m at P4,100/sq m commercial lots at Josefina Town Center, along the National Highway, Dumoy, Toril. 9) Ready-for-Occupancy Residential Properties: 4BR/3T&B in a 240 sq m lot with 177.31sqm floor area (2-storey) at P4.8M in an exclusive beachfront community in Dumoy, Toril.; 3BR 2-storey in a 71.25 sq m 2-storey in a 143sq m lot in an exclusive flower village in Maa, Davao City; 180 sq m lots with 71.25sqm to 126.42 sq m floor areas, priced at P3.751M to P5.773M in an exclusive mountain resort community along Matina, Diversion Road. 10) 1BR/2BR residential condo units located in Bolton, Maa, Obrero, Davao City. 11) FOR ASSUME (RUSH): 1BR res’l condo unit in Palmetto, Maa. P600K negotiable. Note: Items 1-9 can be paid in cash, in-house or bank financing. If interested, please call Jay (PRC REB Lic. 8237) at 0922-851-5337 (Sun), 0908-883-8832 (Smart) or send email to propertiesindavao@yahoo.com.

EADING wireless provider Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) is working with the Department of Education to ensure continuity of education even during emergency situations. The DepEd Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) will be working closely with Smart for a series of initiatives that aim to reduce the disruptive impact of disasters on education. “We have sought Smart to help strengthen the capabilities of the DRRMO and ensure continuity of education especially during emergency situations and disasters. The severity and frequency of disasters have taken a toll on learning. We’ve had no recourse but to suspend classes to ensure the safety of our students,” said DepEd Undersecretary Mario Deriquito. “We have embraced disaster preparedness as a way of life. We have been promoting the culture of preparedness in communities down to the households and the individuals to help reduce loss of lives and properties during disasters. This partnership with the DepEd is very important because it plays a key role in educating our youth and as much as possible, we want to help mitigate the impact of disasters on education,” said Ramon R. Isberto, head of Smart Public Affairs. Under the partnership, Smart will collaborate with the DepEd DRRMO in beefing up the agency’s capability to deal with disasters. Smart will support the agency in organizing trainings on as well as developing and producing Information, Education and Communications (IEC) materials on disaster reduction and climate change adaptation.

14 SPORTS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 233 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

High jumper gives DC first gold T

AGUM CITY--Athletics produced the first gold medal for Davao City as competition in the Davao Region Athletic Association (Davraa) Meet 2014 went full swing Monday at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex in Barangay Mankilam here. Fernando Jison Jr., a lanky third year student from Dona Carmen Denia National High School, ruled the secondary boys high jump in the morning finals to kick off the Durians’ bid for yet another overall crown in the annual sporting event organized by the Department of Educattion (Deped. The 15-year-old Jison, double gold medal winner in the Mindanao leg of the Batang Pinoy last year also in Tagum City, returned to the scene of his previous triumph and flashed impressive form in ruling the

HOLE IN ONE. LTO Regional Director Gomer Dy takes his ace from the cup on hole no. 16.

LTO 11 director fires ace

AND Transportation Office 11 regional director Gomer Dy fired a hole-inone while going through practice round last February 1 at the Davao City Golf Club course. Dy scored his ace on hole no. 16 using a

9-iron Wilson Fat Shaft club and a Srixxon ball. He was playing with flightmates Ed De Guzman, Dondon Zamora, Dondon De Guzman and LTO 11 assistant regional director Bong Gonzaga. “We congratulated RD

Dy for his rare ace. We are honored to play witness to one of golf’s most precious achievements,” Gonzaga said. Dy and Gonzaga took time out from their hectic schedule with the LTO to play a round of golf when the ace happened. [NJB]

ARIS (AP) — Alize Cornet and Kristina Mladenovic beat Belinda Bencic and Timea Bacsinszky 7-5, 6-4 in doubles Sunday to give France a 3-2 win over Switzerland in their first-round tie of the Fed Cup World Group II. Mladenovic’s quick hands at the net made the difference while Bencic’s inexperience in doubles showed. “We took a lot of pleasure,” Mladenovic told Sport Plus television. “It’s extremely difficult to play in such conditions, but our doubles team showed a lot of quality. We complemented each other very well. We had a great time on the court.” Cornet and Mladenovic celebrated their victory with a chest bump while a disappointed Bencic shed

tears on her chair. In a first set with five service breaks, the Swiss pair took a 4-1 lead. But Bencic then failed to serve out the set at 5-3 before Bacsinszky sent a forehand wide to drop serve at 5-5. Cornet hit a backhand winner to help France go a set up. The hosts broke Bencic in the fifth game of the second set but Mladenovic committed three double-faults to drop serve in the next game. Mladenovic made amends by earning the decisive break at 3-3 with a forehand volley and the French pair won the match when Bacsinszky’s backhand sailed long. On April 19-20, France and Switzerland will compete in playoffs. France will try to gain promotion to the World Group while Swit-

finals when the City Government of Davao decided not to send a delegation in Bacolod because of budgetary constraints. In secondary girls softball, the mighty Davao City Durians opened their own campaign for another sterling finish on a high note after crushing Davao del Sur, 11-1, at the Davao del Morte Sports and Tourism Complex diamond. The Panabo City Banana Magnates also won their opening day assignment, edging Mati Sea Eagles, 4-2. (SDD-CMO)

change in the coaching staff. Eight different coaches have been replaced under Dumars’ run as GM, but league sources

told Yahoo Sports he had been an advocate of giving Cheeks more time as coach – especially in light of back-to-back victories over the weekend.

Pistons fire coach

HE Detroit Pistons have fired coach Maurice Cheeks, league sources told Yahoo Sports. Despite back-to-back victories over the weekend, general manager Joe Dumars informed Cheeks of his dismissal on Sunday morning, sources said. Cheeks didn’t make it to the All-Star break of his first season as Detroit’s coach. He was in the first year of a two-year contract with the Pistons. Owner Tom Gores had become increasingly impatient with Cheeks, and sources with knowledge of his plans say that he had been pushing for a

US netters France beats Switzerland in Fed Cup eliminated P C LEVELAND (AP) -Karin Knapp won her second match of the weekend and gave Italy a 3-1 win over the United States in their Fed Cup first-round match on Sunday. Knapp defeated American Alison Riske 6-3, 7-5 to give Italy the victory in the best-of-five series. She held a 5-2 lead in the second set, only to let Riske tie it at five. But Knapp regained the momentum and closed out the match. ‘’I got a little bit nervous, I got a little bit of emotion,’’ Knapp said. ‘’But I tried to continue my game, to hit the ball hard, to command the game.’’

event. Jison, who lost his mother because of cancer in April last year, cleared the bar in 1.71 meters for the winning jump and his first Davraa gold medal as a secondary athlete. His bid for a double, however, fizzled out when he finished only sixth in the long jump finals won by Albert Jay Callejo of Davao del Norte. In the Batang Pinoy 2013, Jison won both the high jump and long jump events, although he failed to compete in the national

zerland will aim to stay in World Group II. Earlier, Cornet beat Bacsinszky 6-2, 7-6 (4) to give France a 2-1 lead before teenager Bencic eased past Virginie Razzano 6-1, 6-1 to bring Switzerland level with France at 2-2. Cornet won six straight games to rally from a 2-0 deficit and take the first set. The 25th-ranked Frenchwoman broke back twice in the second set before Bacsinszky saved a match point at 5-4. In the tiebreaker, Cornet jumped to a 5-2 lead and clinched victory when Bacsinszky’s backhand sailed wide. “Amelie kept her trust in me today and I’m glad I did not prove her wrong,” Cornet said in reference to France captain Amelie Mauresmo.

DOUBLES. France’s Alize Cornet, left, celebrates winning the first set with teammate Kristina Mladenovic, during their double match against Swiss pair Belinda Bencic and Timea Bacsinszky, in the Fed Cup tournament between France and Switzerland, at the Coubertin stadium in Paris, Sunday Feb. 9, 2014.(AP Photo/ Remy de la Mauviniere)

INdulge!

VOL. 6 ISSUE 233 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

TRAVEL

The springs and falls of Mambukal The first of seven falls at Mambukal.

AS A PROVINCE, Negros Occidental is known for its wide sugar cane plantations which go as for as the eye can see and the stately Mt. Kanlaon which is the source of the rich soil the plantations use to grow their sugar cane on. Actually a volcano, Kanlaon is the tallest mountain in the island of Negros rising 2,435 meters from sea level. Its lush slopes and protected national park make it one of the Philippines’ well known mountain climbing spots, taking a couple of days for climbers to reach the summit. For the less adventurous who still like a slice of nature but not necessarily cut away creature comforts like me though, there are many natural hot springs as well as easy hackable trails that dot the foothills of Kanlaon Volcano and one such spot is located at the Mambukal Resort. Just a 32km ride from Bacolod City proper, the

23.6 hectare Mambukal Resort is a cool haven that was originally established by a Japanese architect in 1927 and is now currently being managed and run by the provincial government of Negros Occidental. The nature park’s cool climate and natural hot and cold springs attract

Locals and tourists alike love to take a dip in the mineral-rich hot springs.

bathers from all over thanks to its mineral rich water. Aside from the springs, Mambukal is also famous for its seven falls which can be accessed through a mountain trail that winds around the park. The trail also has a detour through a jungle canopy walk where one can actually get closer to the treetops and observe the happenings on the forest floor from a bird’s perspective. I love that the trail to the first three falls is actually quite easy to walk on, taking casual trekkers through a forest of Lawaan, Narra and other endemic Philippine hardwood trees

Mambukal Resort’s entry landmark.

which are now, sadly, harder and harder to find. The trail also takes one through crystal clear streams as well as over boulders for a more complete and immersive stroll through Negros’ Eden. What makes the falls more amazing is the fact that it is the source of clean water for the entire resort as well as for the nearby municipality, that is why the park rangers are very strict when it comes to keeping the area clean and pollution-free. Other attractions in the park include an authentic Japanese-built bath house from the 1920s as well as a boating lagoon, a zipline, a butterfly garden, a pool, picnic huts as well as cottages where one can stay overnight. The resort also holds the Mudpack Festival every June that celebrates man and nature and features the many differently coloured clay that can be found within the resort. Resort reservations can be made through the Mambukal Resort Reservation Office at the Old Capitol Building, North Capitol Road, Bacolod City at +63.34.4338519 or +63.34.7090990. Follow me at Instagram or on Twitter @kennethkingong for more travel and foodie finds as well as happenings in, around and beyond Durianburg.

Trecking through the forest in flip-flops.

Ian and Ar-ar at the canopy walk.

Huge colonies of flying foxes and fruit bats also call Mambukal home.

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge! UP AND ABOUT

Everything’s at SM City Davao for the Season of Hearts! SM CITY DAVAO rocks your world with a series of happenings to jumpstart the Season of Hearts. Glam up for a date Dress up for this season’s special date. SM Davao has got your covered from head to toe! Enjoy great discounts from Plains and Prints, Espada, Mags, Camisa, Onesimus, Get Laud and Surplus. For impressive shoes, visit Florsheim and Rusty Lopez and avail of discounts on selected items. Plus, Mediskin Inc., Blemish Off and Dermpath are offering special prices for skin treatments. Gift Ideas Give her the gift of time. Get her a watch from Prestige which offers discounted prices on great timepieces. For music and sports-inclined couples, get your matching gears from JB. JB Music and Sports offers up to 50% discount. Plus, find unique and personalized tokens for your sweethearts as SM Davao mounts the Love Bazaar at the Annex Event Center. Hearty Eats Dining is made more memorable when shared with the people you love. Treat that special someone to hearty meals at Bigby’s, Shakey’s, Classic Savory, Hukad and Peri-Peri and avail of their special promos from bundled meals to free desserts. Surprise her sweet tooth with those Valentines Day donuts from Dunkin Donuts and Krispy Kreme, or say something sweet with Red Ribbon’s dedication cakes. Entertainment Listen to songs of love at the Symphonies from the Heart, 4PM, February 14. Bring your loved ones at the Annex Event center and journey through your love story with melodies from a 15-piece Jazz Band. Dance your way to a healthy heart. At 6:30 PM, be hip, be in, be red at I Heart Zumba. Win Prizes Pose and Snap. Follow @smdavao on Instagram; snap a photo of you and your friends at any of our Valentine’s Photo Spot. Post the photo on instagram with a catchy caption and tag @smdavao. Add Hashtag #LoveRocksatSMCD #lovesign #Valentines. Entries must be posted before February 13, 6:00PM. Three posts with the most number of likes will win Gift Certificates from Blemish Off, I-Lash, Mags, Mendez Medical Group and 123 Smile.

PHL blasts out “Thank You” to the World! Visitmyphilippines.com says “Thank You” to some 9,000 online unique guests worldwide! Typhoon Haiyan is recorded as the strongest typhoon to hit the planet in recent history. Last November 8, 2013, it devastated parts of Central Philippines. The number of lives lost and affected is unprecedented. But ever since then, the world has been one with the Philippines in helping rebuild the nation – from sending relief goods, doing medical missions, all the way to pledging funds for the reconstruction of infrastructure. Last February 8, 2014, exactly three months after the typhoon, we were one in expressing our gratitude. The Philippines says THANK YOU! Show some love! Our country received an outpouring of support from other nations during Typhoon Haiyan and is ready to give back by saying Thank You. Hit the share button and help spread the gratitude! #PHthankyou Join us in supporting the Thank You movement here: http://bit. ly/PHthankyou Join hundreds of Filipinos say Thank You to the global community for all the help we received during Typhoon Yolanda / Haiyan. It is because of them that we are recovering faster as a nation. On February 8, 3 months after the storm, we are sending out one unified message of gratitude via Thunderclap, a program that will blast out our thanks on social media. Sign up here at http://bit.ly/PHthankyou if you’re a proud Filipino and grateful for all the help. Together, let’s say, “Maraming salamat!”. #PHthankyou . Visit http://itsmorefuninthephilippines.com/ phthankyou for more information.

VOL. 6 ISSUE 233 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014

Smart and SPINNR bring you more ways to get the Amplified 7107 experience WIRELESS LEADER Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) and SPINNR, the country’s largest online music portal, is giving subscribers more ways to have the amplified 7107 International Music Festival experience through various promos and ticket discounts in the days leading to this year’s most anticipated music event. Music fans c a n choose f r o m two new day-pass ticket options that have been made available so they can pick which acts they want to see live. The SPINNR Day Pass (P5,500) for the first day of the festival will include acts such as Kaskade, The Asteroids Galaxy Tour, Kid Ink, Kjwan, and Radioactive Sago Project, among others. Meanwhile, the Smart Day Pass (P6,500) will give them access to the second day of the festival, which will feature the full concert set of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Empire of the Sun, Kendrick Lamar, Red Jumpsuit Aparatus, Luciana, Up Dharma Down, and Sponge Cola, among others. Smart Prepaid, Postpaid, and Broadband subscribers with active accounts can also log on to the Smart 7107 website (smart.com.ph/7107) to instantly get a 20% discount on their General Admission, VIP and Day Pass ticket purchases. Free tickets True to its promise of allowing subscribers to ‘live more,’ Smart is launching a host of promos and contests with more than a thousand 7107 International Music Festival tickets up for grabs from today until the day of the event. On February 8 and 9, newly approved Smart Postpaid subscribers and current subscribers get-

ting an additional line or who are up for retention can proceed to the Smart stores in SM North Edsa and Ro c kwell Power

Plant M a l l to get two free General Admission tickets when they avail any of the following: Smart AllIn Plan 1800, Smart AllIn Plan 2500, Smart UnliSurf Plan 2000 and Smart iPhone Plan 2499. You may also get these tickets with Smart Bro Postpaid Plans 1499 or 1699 for the iPad Air and iPad mini with Retina display or LTE Plans 1299, 1749 or 3500 (first 5 approved plans per site, per day from 12nn to 2pm). Additionally, newly approved Smart Postpaid subscribers (Plan 1800 and above) who apply through the Smart Online Store will get the chance to win tickets by registering to the Smart 7107 website. For Smart Prepaid subscribers, simply register to the Smart 7107 website with your number and load P100 on your account. Every P100 topup earns the subscriber one raffle entry for a pair of General Admission tickets during the weekly draw. Smart Prepaid users can also watch out for the 7107 booths in select schools and in one of their favorite hangouts to get more chances of scoring

free tickets and exclusive discounts. Meanwhile, users looking to get a new Smart Bro Post pa id sub-

scription can also get the chance to win tickets if they sign up with the following plans: All-In Plan 999 (16GB iPad Mini), iPad Mini with Retina Display plans, iPad Air plans, LTE plans, Gadget Plus Plans, and Flexisurf plans. All they have to do is register their new number on the Smart 7107 website. Eyeing to get the ultrafast mobile broadband experience? Your purchase of a Smart Bro Prepaid LTE Pocket WiFi worth P4,888, P2,000 worth of call and text cards, and a subscription to Unlimited LTE 995 for one month will instantly earn you one free General Admission ticket out of a total of 300 being given away, or as much as 60% savings with your purchases. Only the first 30 buyers in pre-determined Smart Stores will get the chance to avail of this promotion. And for the total music experience, simply subscribe to SPINNR’s VIP 49 package, which gives you 50% discount on music downloads and 30 days of free and unlimited music streaming on your smartphone, tablet or PC with no data charges, to get a chance to win one

of 50 pairs of VIP tickets from now until February 10. Your subscription to any Smart Postpaid Flexibundle offer will also get you a chance to enter SPINNR’s VIP ticket raffle. An amplified experience Billed as the first of its kind music event in the country, the 7107 International Mu s i c Fe s tival will be headlined by international acts such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Kendrick Lamar, Kaskade and Empire of the Sun, among others, as well as hit local bands that include Up Dharma Down, Taken By Cars, and the Radioactive Sago Project. But more than just providing a number of ways to get access to this much-awaited music event, Smart has prepared a wide array of exciting events and attractions exclusive to subscribers that will truly make their 7107 experience one for the books—including a dedicated Smart headquarters where subscribers can lounge and hang out for the duration of the entire event. Lucky Smart subscribers will also get the chance to meet and greet the artists back stage, take home exclusive merchandise, and get exclusive perks on the festival grounds. This awesome event will be held at Global Gateway Logistics City, in Clark, Pampanga on February 22 to 23, 2014. So are you ready to get the amplified 7107 International Music Festival experience from Smart? Always check smart. com.ph/7107, follow @ SMARTPromos and the hashtag #Smart7107 on Twitter, and like the Smart Communications Facebook page to get the latest updates on these promos.

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VOL. 6 ISSUE 233 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014

ENTERTAINMENT

Toni Gonzaga reveals her secret to success in MOR 101.9 For Life! ULTIMATE Multimedia Star Toni Gonzaga believes that if there is any secret to her hyperactive TV, music and movie career, it is her continuous pursuit for self-improvement. In her exclusive interview that aired on Saturday in “Sabado Sikat Special” of “My Only Radio (MOR) 101.9 For Life!” Toni further shared how she values her job so much. “In showbiz, there are a lot of more beautiful and more talented people who are discovered everyday. And these people can fill in your shows anytime if you become relaxed and complacent after accomplishing one good task,” said Toni in DJ China Pap’s hit radio morning show. “In life, we can’t get everything we want in just a snap. We should really work hard and keep the passion to improve ourselves,” explained Toni, who stars in the upcoming Star Cinema movie “Starting Over Again” alongside Piolo Pascual.

Continue to enjoy MORe music, MORe fun, and MORe stars in 2014’s UPLB Gandingan Awards and 12th Gawad Tanglaw’s Best FM Station “MOR 101.9 For Life!”

and “MOR TV” via www. MOR1019.com. For more updates about “M.O.R. 101.9 For Life!” visit www.facebook.com/mor1019 and follow @MOR1019 on Twitter.

Kapamilya comedy shows celebrate togetherness in the month of love THIS YEAR’S month of love is a different kind of special for the Kapamilya network’s comedy shows, as the stars of “Home Sweetie Home”, “Banana Split”, “Banana Nite”, “LUV U”, and “Goin’ Bulilit” all come together to celebrate a unique kind of “Buhay Komedyante” found only on ABS-CBN. Three Kapamilya comedy shows will be commemorating how laughter has brought people together time and time again, as they each approach their anniversaries this February. Beginning with the favorite kiddie gag show “Goin’ Bulilit,” which will be celebrating its 9th anniversary this month, with the fun to extend when the teen series “LUV U” will be marking their 2nd year, and when “Banana Nite” will be holding another show to

celebrate their first anniversary of fun side by side. Another show to be celebrated is the network’s latest addition to its comedy unit, “Home Sweetie Home”. The sitcom, which stars John Lloyd Cruz and Toni Gonzaga, has been an instant hit since its launch earlier this year, topping the weekend charts since its pilot episode. As a treat to its viewers, the comedians of ABS-CBN gather—sharing the love

that they have for the viewers the best way they know how—by bringing happiness through loads of laughter that families can enjoy together. In the same way that the Kapamilya comedy shows have become families in themselves that continue to blossom over the years, these shows will continue to spread the love this February. Don’t miss out on the Kapamilya comedy shows, as “Banana Split: Extra Scoop” airs on Saturdays after “Maalaala Mo Kaya”, “Banana Nite” airs weekdays after “Bandila”, “LUV U” airs Sundays after “ASAP 19”, “Goin’ Bulilit” airs Sundays after “TV Patrol Weekend”, and “Home Sweetie Home” airs Sundays after “Goin’ Bulilit”.

AMERICAN HUSTLE 2D Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Jennifer Lawrence R 13

12:00 | 2:30 | 5:00 | 7:30 | 10:00 LFS

LEGO THE MOVIE 2D Chris Pratt, Will Ferrell GP

12:00 | 2:00 | 4:00 | 6:00 | 8:00 | 10:00 LFS

HAUNTER 2D / * GEOGRAPHY CLUB 2D

R-16

R 13 / * PG13

Abigail Breslin, David Hewlett / *Cameron Deane Stewart, Justin Deeley 12:25 | 2:20 | 4:15 LFS / * 6:10 | 8:05 | 10:00 LFS

ROBOCOP 2D Joel Kinnaman, Gary Oldman, Michael Keaton PG 13

12:00 | 2:30 | 5:00 | 7:30 | 10:00 LFS

EDGEDAVAO

A4 INdulge!

VOL. 6 ISSUE 233 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014

DAVRAA heralds DavNor’s sports capital tag

By NOEL BAGUIO Photos from DAVRAA FB and Lean Daval Jr.

Davao del Norte – The Davao Region Athletic Association (DAVRAA) meet is the harbinger of Davao del Norte’s evolution into the sports tourism capital of the region. Tagged as the Banana Capital of the country, the province boasts of the only world-class sports facility in the region – the new Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex (DNSTC). But, it is DAVRAA’s repute as the biggest schoolbased athletic event in the region that has brought forth Davao del Norte’s coming of age as a sports tourism capital. “The DAVRAA heralded Davao del Norte’s evolution from a Banana Capital into a sports tourism capital of the region,” Governor Rodolfo del Rosario told members of the media during the press conference held before the opening of the DAVRAA 2014 games. The annual athletic conclave for elementary and secondary students has contributed a significant slice in DNSTC’s patronage, bringing visitors that are considered veritable economic multipliers for the local economy. Official estimates pegged the number of delegates and

spectators to be close to 10,000 during Sunday’s kick-off ceremonies of the regional meet, which runs from February 9-12, 2014, Since its first hosting of the DAVRAA last year, Davao del Norte has continued its quest for major events. The sprawling state-ofthe-art sports complex subsequently became the scene of the Batang Pinoy Mindanao Qualifiers last August 2013. Right after the DAVRAA 2014, the Davao Region Private Schools Athletics Association (PRISAA) meet will follow on February 21-23, 2014, again at the modern facility, where the National PRISAA championships will be staged on April this year. Del Rosario said the hostings are prelude to bigger sporting events that the province is preparing to host, such as the 2015 Palarong Pambansa. The governor assured Davao del Norte is ready to host the event, as he bared his intention to complete all the facilities necessary for the sports complex to be the sole venue of all the 19 sports activities, with over 399 athletic events of the Palarong Pam-

bansa. DNSTC now boasts of a 3,000-capacity main grand stand, rubberized track oval, Olympic-sized pool with warm-up pool, 1,000-seat bleacher and clubhouse, football field, two lawn tennis courts, air-conditioned basketball gymnasium and a perimeter professional lighting system for night events. Another football field and a baseball field are on the

pipeline to further boost the facility’s capability to handle big-ticket sporting events. 1. press con.jpg Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario tells the media Davao del Norte is ready to host the 2015 Palarong Pambansa at the press con before the opening of the DAVRAA 2014. noel baguio/davnor pio 2. torch bearer.jpg Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario hands over the DAVRAA

torch to the torchbearer at the opening of the DAVRAA 2014. noel baguio/davnor pio 3. Luna.jpg 2013 Batang Pinoy Volleyball Girls MVP May Luna carries the ceremonial torch at the opening of the DAVRAA 2014. noel baguio/davnor pio 4. banana.jpg Mr Banana mascot joins the parade cheerleading of the Panabo Banana Magnates at the opening of the

DAVRAA 2014. noel baguio/ davnor pio 5. parade.jpg Athletes of the Davao del Norte Pioneers at the opening of the DAVRAA 2014. noel baguio/davnor pio 6. flagraising.jpg Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario and DepEd-XI Regional Director Gloria Benigno hoists the Philippine Flag at the opening of the DAVRAA 2014. noel baguio/davnor pio

DavNor sets off DAVRAA 2014

By AGNES RAFOLS Triumphant music, aesthetic marching, gloomy yet sizzling atmosphere, these were showcased during the opening of the Davao Region Athletics Association (DAVRAA) Meet, Sunday at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex. Almost 5,000 athletic delegates coming from the 10 divisions of Davao Region namely Compostela Valley, Davao City, Davao del Sur,

Davao Oriental, Digos City, Mati City, Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS), Panabo City, Tagum City and Davao del Norte attended the said activity with eagerness to grab home the bacon. Four banners were hoisted during the event by different personnel namely the DAVRAA banner by Ms. Nenita Lumaad, Asst. Regional Director, Davao del Norte banner by Hon. Victorio

Suaybaguio, Jr., Vice Governor of DavNor, Tagum City banner by Hon. Allan Rellon, City Mayor of Tagum and the delegation banners by the LGU Officials and SDS/PESS including the Philippine Flag by Governor Rodolfo del Rosario and Region XI Director Gloria Benigno. The top four cheer dancers during the Division Meet of DavNor cheered up the crowd as they performed the

opening salvo with enthusiasm and synergy. The DepEd teachers of Davao del Norte displayed their talents in dancing zumba. “This time, we belong to one team, we belong to DAVRAA!,” said Benigno with great convincing power during her inspirational message. She emphasized that coaches should commit themselves in this event because this is a prelude to

something bigger to come next year—the 2015 Palarong Pambansa. Governor del Rosario and Mayor Rellon both congratulated the players with their coaches for joining this Regional Sports Meet. Involving the crowd with the spectacular part, partnered with the elemental dancers of Davao del Norte, May Luna who is the Davao del Note’s represen-

tative in the 2013 Palarong Pambansa lighted the torch and heated up the whole sports complex. Subsequently, the sky flared and turned into an exploding Milky Way. It seems like blasting lanterns on the misty sky. More than that, the view was a picture of a bursting supernova. As declared by Benigno, the DAVRAA 2014 is now officially opened.

EDGEDAVAO

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VOL. 6 ISSUE 233 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014

GLOBAL PINOYS

Filipino-Canadian competes in Olympic speed skating

FIL-CANADIAN Gilmore Vincent Junio, representing Canada, competes in the 500-meter speed skating event.

US BET. Filipino-American RJ Celski will compete in the men’s 1500 short track speed skating.

Nash injured in Lakers’loss

OS ANGELES - The Los Angeles Lakers suffered another injury, and the Chicago Bulls added to the Lakers’ woes on Sunday. The Bulls extended the Lakers’ misery at Staples Center with a 92-86 victory over Los Angeles before an announced crowd of 18,997. Guard Kirk Hinrich led the Bulls with 19 points, while center Joakim Noah and forward Taj Gibson

scored 18 apiece. Noah had a game-high 13 rebounds. In addition to the loss, the injury bug that has hurt the Lakers also season struck again. Point guard Steve Nash left the game in the third quarter with nerve irritation in his left leg and did not return. Nash will be re-evaluated Monday. “It was just getting worst lately,” said Nash, who had been ailing all season with

back and leg problems and had not played since November before returning Feb. 4 against the Minnesota Timberwolves. “I wanted to play, especially when we are losing, you want to try to fight through it. I have been through that before and I know where it goes, so I didn’t want to risk it. I think it was the smartest decision to come out.” Nash, who finished with

eight points and two assists in 21:14 of playing time, suffered a fracture near the same area of the leg last season. “I hope tomorrow I can wake up and jump right back into it,” he said. “Hopefully, that nerve will just settle down and I’ll be OK. It’s been a tough road, so I won’t take anything for granted, but I think tomorrow I should be much better.”

ILIPINO-Albertan Gilmore Vincent Junio was “too small” for ice hockey and shifted to speed skating. Thanks to his father who encouraged him to try speed skating in 2003 and 11 winters later, the 23-year-old Kinesiology major at the University of Calgary is scheduled to compete in the 2014 Winter Olympics on Monday, February 10, in Sochi, Russia. He is entered in the men’s 500-metre Race 1 of 2 at 5 p.m. Sochi time (6 a.m. Edmonton time). Race 2 is set at 6:55 p.m. Sochi time(7:55 a.m. Edmonton time) at the Adler Arena Skating Center. Junio’s first passion was hockey and started playing at the age of 7. Just like any other ice hockey-loving Canadians, he dreamed of making it one day to the National Hockey League but only to realize that playing hockey was not his calling.

So he focused on speed skating and signed up for the Calgary Speed Skating Club. Then the results have become outstanding. In 2007, Junio represented Alberta Province at the age of 17 to the Canada Winter Games in Whitehorse where he bagged 4th place in two distances and 8th overall against 19-yearold skaters. Then competing in the North American and Canadian Age Class Championships, he landed 2nd overall. Then came the unavoidable. Two weeks before the 2009-2010 Canadian Junior Championships, Junio was injured with compression fractures on his T5 and T8 vertebrae. But he refused to give in. He switched from short track to long track where the percentage of getting injured and the risk of falling is lower.

Clippers rout Sixers T

HE Los Angeles Clippers celebrated the return of point guard Chris Paul with a 123-78 romp past the Philadelphia 76ers. The 45-point margin of victory was the largest in Clippers club history. They set up their big win with a 46-point first quarter, coming out of the opening period with a 46-15 lead and never looking back.

Blake Griffin scored 26 points with 11 rebounds and six assists. His effort included a brace of spectacular alley-oop dunks -- with assists from Paul, who missed 18 games with a separated right shoulder. In his first game since January 3 the star point guard played just under 23 minutes, scoring seven points and handing out eight assists with four steals.

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. VOL.66ISSUE ISSUE233 233TUESDAY, TUESDAY,FEBRUARY FEBRUARY11, 11,2014 2014

Tarlac rider tops Suzuki Breed Wars

SPEED DEMON. Jeoffrey Teopengco of Tarlac rides to victory in the 2014 Suzuki Breed Wars. Lean Daval Jr.

EFFREY Teopengco of Tarlac captured the 2014 Suzuki Breed Wars National Finals on Sunday before a mammoth weekend crowd at the Tagum City Hall complex. Riding out of Cycle Hobbies, Teopengco ruled the field in the centerpiece Raider R150 category after he blew away the field with impressive runs from the eliminations to the finals. Teopengco, who went home

with the P50,000 pot, a Talk N/ Text cellular phone, and gift items from Phoenix Cyclomax Oil, beat Adrian Gonzales of BRT Pangasinan in the finals. Third place went to Joel Tatunay of Ed Speed. Teopengco tried to make it double champion but he only placed third in the Underbone 115 won by Davaoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Manuel Sumog-oy of V Man Racing Davao. In other categories, John Paul Lantape of

Team Mackyworx-Cebu, topped the Scooter 130, while local boy Sumog-oy of V Man Racing of Davao took the Underbone 115 title. Lantape outrun fellowe Cebuano Neil Perino of BMR in the finals. Sumog-oy beat another Team Davao-V Man standout Joven Millana. Anver Antonio placed 3 rd in the Scooter 130 while Teopengco finished third in the Underbone 115.

UNDERBONE. A finalist in the Underbone 115 takes off from the starting gate. Lean Daval Jr.